"I've been too long in the wind
Too long in the rain
Taking any comfort that I can
Looking back and longing for
The freedom of my chains
And lying in your loving arms again"
Short story featuring my two favorite lions from the The Lion King:
On troubled nights, Queen Nala of Pride Rock found refuge under the stars. Out in the open fields, memories of Scar's Reign still lingered within her mind, that of her mother, of her brother.
She had long believed they would return someday, that they had survived their refuge past the hyenas and desert lands. To introduce her grandchildren, to let them reunite with the pride at last.
Every day, her hope dwindled further.
One night, her son, Kion, followed Nala out into the plains. The beginning dances of fireflies tickled the air as both lions locked eyes onto each other. There was no protest. Nala patted the ground beside her, inviting the second born to witness the twinkling sky.
"You miss them, mom?"
"Sometimes..."
"I wish I could bring them back, so you'd be happy again." Kion claimed, sitting still and glancing at the largest star to the North. Nala gave a small sigh, soon with a faint smile.
"Kion, I am happy. Your grandmother, she'd have wanted me to keep up with you and Kiara. It hurts to move on, but such is the circle of life."
"I guess. Maybe they'll still come?" Kion turned to the queen. She looked away, with a pondering frown.
"...How about I show you something that she taught me, when I was your age?"
"Mom?"
"Remember your sister's pouncing lessons?" Nala arched an eyebrow. Kion froze.
"Yeah, with dad. Why?"
"Well, maybe I can teach you some tips I picked up that even your father doesn't know."
Nala crouched and instructed her son through the warm night. She giggled at each of Kion's leaps. His eyes beaming with each of the queen's encouraging words.
For a slight moment, she saw a familiar face upon Kion’s form… that of her brother: a pale cub, always greeting her after hunting practice with the most excitement she had ever witnessed. Mheetu tagging along seemed a nuisance to her then, but now she mourned the loss of such joy.
Still, upon feeling her son's paws land upon her muzzle, Nala's eyes twinkled along with the stars. She had fulfilled her promise to her mother, to Sarabi, to Mheetu. She had returned to save their home.
As long as she was with them, her pride, Nala's hope would flicker with the same fierce determination she had carried since cubhood.
They would always live in her... as her children would from here on.
Thank you Radix for all your help in creating this piece.
Keywords
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Details
Published:
3 years, 8 months ago
02 May 2021 23:53 CEST
Initial: b551d938ad215f84cc6c6f33d058287a
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